Alarm



April 16, 1940. .w. EEG|N 2,197,412

" ALARM Filed April 25, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I ATTORNEY A rins, 1940. EE HQ 2,197,412

ALARII Filed April 25, 19:58 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 61 02 115 /4. heqgla B1 g 1 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES V ALARM Curtis W. Keegin, Grosse Pointe, Miclr, assignor of one-half to Jay H. Gould, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 25, 1.938, Serial No. 204,180

11 Claims.

This invention relates to alarms and refers more particularly to improvements in temperature responsive alarms especially adapted for sounding warnings of fire.

One object of my invention is to provide an alarm which will have improved and enlarged utility over prior fire alarms.

Another object is to provide an alarm, preferably of a readily portable nature, which may be manufactured and sold at relatively low cost enabling use by a large number of people, thereby also enabling many to purchase a number of my alarms for location at several points in a home for example.

In carrying out the objects of my invention, I preferably incorporate my improvements in conjunction with an alarm clock of any suitable type such as ordinary commercial alarm clocks now sold in large quantity. I have provided temperature responsive or thermostatic control means functioning with the alarm mechanism of an ordinary alarm clock, of either the electric or hand-wound type, for controlling the clock alarm.

In the interests of increasing the utility of my invention, I have provided an alarm of the character aforesaid so constructed and arranged that the alarm clock has all of its present functions and utility and in addition thereto a user of my clock has the protective warning against fire hazard. Thus the alarm will be sounded when the surrounding temperature rises above a predetermined normal degree independently of the time setting of the alarm and independently of the usual alarm control, viz., whether such control is set for off or on.

It will be apparent that my invention has particular utility for domestic use. Since the ordinary alarm clock is readily portable and can be located at a variety of points, a user of my clock can place the same most advantageously with respect to fire hazards and warning thereof during day and night. Furthermore, since my alarm preferably has the further utility of indicating the time, the alarm has continuing utility in contrast with alarm devices which have utility only in the event of fire. This encourages the use of a number of my alarm devices throughout a home in the interests of protection against loss of life and property.

Further objects and advantages of my invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts more particularly hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the principles of my invention and in which:

i is a front perspective view of my alarm embodied in conjunction with a conventional electric alarm clock.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of my alarm, the dial and casing being removed to illustrate the clockwork and alarm mechanisms.

Fig. 2--A is a detail fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the mechanism f0 setting the clock hands.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the Fig. 2 mechanism taken as indicated by line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a front sectional elevational view taken as indicated by line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

' Fig. 5 is a similar view taken as indicated by line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of the Fig. 2 mechanism, illustrating my temperature responsive means.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view further illustrating the Fig. 6 mechanism.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the mechanism as seen in Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a generally similar view illustrating a modified form of my thermostatic control.

Fig. 10 is a view generally similar to Fig. 9 but illustrating a further modified arrangement of thermostatic control.

Referring to the drawings, I have illustrated my invention in conjunction with an electric alarm clock of well known commercial type although I desire to point out that other types of clocks, electrically or manually wound, are equally adaptable for use with my invention. Also, if desired, my invention may be employed without utilizing a clock mechanism although, as aforesaid, one important characteristic of my invention resides in my thermostatic control means for conventional clocks of the alarm type.

The alarm clock A comprises an annular casingl5 having the usual front glass cover I 6, a portion of which is broken away in Fig. 1 to indicate'the dial l'l cooperating with the usual minute and hour hands [.8 and [9 respectively. The type of clock illustrated is the electric portable desk or table type having the casing support 20, a lead wire 2| having the electrical plug 22 for insertion in the usual socket for energizing the clock motor. Other well known types of clocks are adapted for wall mounting, etc., as will be readily understood.

The clock mechanism is carried by a frame or chassis including a front plate 23 and rear plate 24 held in fixed spaced relationship by a plurality of main spacers 25. The driving prime mover is, in this instance, the electric synchronous motor B having the usual rotor 26 driving pinion 2? counterclockwise as viewed from the front.

The usual reduction train to the minute hand E8 consists of the following gears, via, pinion 2? drives gear 353 fixed to shaft 29 which carries pinion SE; at its rear end. Pinion 30 drives through reduction cluster gears 3|, 32 and 33, 34. Cluster gears 33, 34 drive forwardly through shaft 35 to rotate gear 38 clockwise, the drive thence passing through idler 3'! to the minute gear which rotates the minute hand I8.

The usual reduction train to the hour hand 59 consists of the following gears, viz., gear 34 drives gear 39 on shaft 40 which extends forwardly to pinion 4| meshing with gear 42 which is disposed adjacent the rear of front plate 24. The gear 42 drives through the usual friction connection generally indicated at 43, see Fig. 2-A, to the hand set pinion 44 rotatable by a shaft 45 and hand knob 46 for setting the hands [8 and E5 of the clock independently of the clockwork drive in the conventional manner. Gear 44 meshes with gear 47 having pinion 48 engaging both the hour hand gear and the alarm trip gear 58.

For convenience of reference, all rotations unless otherwise stated will be with reference to a viewpoint looking at the clock front as in Figs. 1 and 2.

The usual alarm impulse mechanism or spring at El urges gear 52 clockwise to drive pinion 53 and escapement wheel 54. The spring is maintained energized by a drive from the clockwork mechanism at gear 4 which drives cluster gears 55, 58, the latter meshing with spring winding gear 5?. The usual spring clutch 58 allows the gears to drive after the spring is fully wound up.

The alarm dial 59 is fixed to a shaft 60 extending rearwardly to knob 6! having counterclockwise rotation for setting the alarm according to the dial reading visible through a window 62 in the main clock dial H. The shaft 60 extends loosely through the alarm trip gear 50, this shaft having fixed thereto a disk-like body 58 having a trip finger 63. The trip gear 50 carries a trip collar 66 formed with a notch 65. Fixed at 65 to a plate 23 is a cantilever trip spring 6'! which has a free end acting forwardly to urge gear 50 and its collar 64 toward finger 63. The gear 50 rotates clockwise from the driving clockwork mechanism, it being apparent that when notch moves opposite the setting 63, the free end of spring 5"? will snap outwardly from plate 23 causing outward movement of collar 64 as the notch engages the finge This action is brought about since the collar 84 is hollow and receives the disklike body portion '63 with the finger 83 entering notch 65 and limiting the outward movement of the spring t! and gear 50. When the finger enters the notch the time alarm will sound provided manual cut-off control for the alarm impulse mechanism. has been set for operation of the alarm as will be presently apparent. It will be understood that gear 50 maintains engagement with the wide-face gear 48 at all times.

The escapement wheel 54 rotates counterclockwise under control of an escapement 59 fixed to a rockshaft l supported between plates 23 and 24. Fixed to this rockshaft is a primary lever H having an end portion T2 engageable with a preset alarm control mechanism. Pivoted by a pin :3 to an intermediate portion of lever H is the arm '14 of a secondary lever in the form of a bellcrank 75 having its other arm '55 terminating in an alarm striker or hammer Il'. Lever is carried by a second rockshaft 1'8 and has it. arm 14 terminating in a stop in the form of an outwardly bent finger 79 adapted for cooperation with the trip spring 5'! to release the hammer H for vibration by spring 5i and escapement C12. A rear casing member 80 has a an iular forwardly extending flange 8| pa ally enclosing the clockwork mechanism and provides a sounding device or gong for impact from hammer ll.

In order to preset the alarm for 'C'l 'lC operation or to permanently locloout the alarm from operation by the time control, it is customary to provide a manual preset control mechanism of some type as for example a knob 82 carrie. by a shaft 83 axially slidable transversely of late. and 24. This shaft carries an enlarged stop having sloping sides 85. When sh ft 83 is pushed in or forwardly, the alarm is rendered inoperative by the time trip spring El because stop 84 positioned so as to prevent vibration of lever portion l2. However, with shaft pulled out or rearwardly, the alarm impulse mechanism between escapement 6S and hammer Tl is free to operate provided the time responsive tripping mechanism controlled by the trip finger 63 functions to release the alarm impulse mechanism and hammer Tl.

enerally speaking, the foregoing details of parts are well known in the art and have been briefly referred to as illustrative of a typical environment for my invention. The general. operation of the illustrated clockwork is also well known.

In carrying out the principles of my invention according to the embodiment the col illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, I have provided temperature responsive means arranged to function independently of the normal functioning of the clock mechanism so that the alarm will be sounded on predetermined temperature rise regardless of whether the manual cut-off control for the alarm impulse mechanism at knob 82 is in the 011" or off condition, and regardless of whether the time responsive alarm tripping me .oenism controlled by trip finger 63 functions to release the alarm impulse mechanism and hammer Tl.

I have provided a thermostatic element preferably in the form of bi-metal for causing the alarm to sound independently of the setting the time responsive trip mechanism. In carrying out my invention, according to the illustrated embodiment thereof in Figs. 1 to 8, I form an element of the alarm impulse mechanism to operate as the thermostatic control preferably in cooperation with the trip spring 6?. In this manner an operating part of the standard alarm mechanism is made to have several functions, vlz., a function of temperature responsive trip control for the alarm impulse mechanism and also the normal functions of the part. best seen in Figs. 6 to 8, the lever 5 is of the bi-metal material so constructed and that when the temperature surrounding the rises above a predetermined normal or safe degree the outer end of lever portion l l will rapidly deflect or bend so that the finger is will be moved rearwardly clear of the trip finger 3". which, in the conventional type of clock illustrated, is formed as a rearwardly bent portion of the trip spring 5'! extending through an opening 88 to normally engage either the upper or lower face of the finger 79 to prevent operation of the alarm impulse mechanism between the escapement 69 and hammer 11. If there is no manual cut-off control at 82 or if the latter is pulled rearwardly to release the lever portion 12 to freely vibrate, then the escapement 69 will immediately operate to vibrate hammer 11 against the gong 8! and sound'a warning when said temperature rise causes lever 14 to deflect rearward face from trip finger 81.

For low cost manufacture the entire lever 16 including hammer ll may be formed of the bimetal although it will be understood that the resulting deflection of lever 16 only slightly assists the desired thermostatic deflection of lever 14. If desired, levers l4 and 16 may be formed separately, only lever 14 being of thermostatic material or the arrangement of parts may be otherwise varied. The temperature responsive deflection of lever 16, when formed as in Fig. 8, will not interfere with hammer 11 striking the gong 8| as the linkage and escapement of the impulse mechanism is such that sufficient overtravel or clearance is provided to accommodate the slight change in the effective length of lever 16 when deflected by said temperature rise. The resulting movement of the hammer H is, for the most part, in the same general direction. of movement as that of finger I9.

In order to accommodate the deflection of lever 14 without binding tendency at pivot 13, the lever 14 may have clearance at 89 (see Fig. '7) with pivt 13 and lever I4 is normally spaced sufficiently forwardly from lever H to accommodate the rearward deflection of finger 19.

\Vhen trip finger 63 enters notch 65 for sounding the alarm for normal functioning in response to the time setting 6|, trip spring 61 bends or deflects forwardly to move its trip finger 81 free from finger 19 and the alarm will sound provided,

; of course, that the manual cut-off 82 has been previously pulled rearwardly so that stop 84 is clear of lever portion 12.

When knob 6| is then rotated counterclockwise, finger 63 engages the inclined face of notch 65 and restores spring 61 rearwardly to its fully loaded condition, the trip finger 81 thereupon springing rearwardly to catch the finger 19 of the thermostatic lever 14.

i The alarm is normally shut off by pushing on the manual cut-off control knob 82 to cause lever portion 12 to engage stop 84 preferably at the inclined face 86 for reasons presently apparent. A detent cantilever spring 90 has an ear 9| loosely receiving shaft 83 and is fixed at 92 to plate 23. This spring 98 is, like element 89, a thermostatic element preferably bi-metal, and has an inverted V-shaped end portion 93 engageable with inclined face 85 to yieldingly hold shaft 83 in the forwardly pushed position. When knob 82 is pulled rearwardly, as in setting the alarm impulse mechanism for operation, stop 84 springs the element 90 and the end portion 93v then engages face 86 to yieldingly maintain the shaft 83 in its rearward position. The element 98 therefore has the function of an ordinary detent spring for shaft 83 and the further function of releasing the alarm mechanism regardless of the manual setting of knob 82.

Thus, if knob 82 is pushed forwardly and the temperature rises above the aforesaid predetermined normal degree, element 96 will rapidly swing downwardly free of stop 84 and, with thermostatic lever 14, simultaneously releasing trip finger 8'! as aforesaid, the vibrating tendency of lever II will cause lever end portion 12 to act on the sharply inclined face 86 to thereby move shaft 83 rearwardly sufliciently to allow full vibration of hammer T1 in sounding the alarm.

In the foregoing description I have, for convenience of identification, referred to parts moved forwardly or rearwardly with reference to the clock as viewed in Fig. 1 wherein the front is obviously at the clock face. The time responsive alarm trip mechanism primarly comprises trip finger 63, collar 64, spring 61 and finger 81, this mechanism further including the manual preset time control at knob 6|. The alarm impulse mechanism is motivated by impulse spring and comprises the escapement mechanism 54, 69 and vibratory levers H, 75. The manual cut-off control for the alarm impulse mechanism comprises the knob 82 and parts associated with the functions; of this knob. The foregoing mechanisms and controls may take a variety of forms within the broader aspects of my invention.

In order to efficiently effect operation of the thermostatic elements in response to the aforesaid temperature rise in the vicinity of my alarm device, the casing I5 is preferably provided with one or more apertures 94 to efiiciently expose the thermostatic elements to the surrounding medium.

In the Fig, 9 modification the parts are identical in structure and function with those of the foregoing embodiment except as follows. In this instance the detent spring 90 and securing ear 9 are formed of ordinary steel spring stock. The rear plate 241 is deflected rearwardly at 95 to accommodate rearward displacement of shaft Hi under temperature responsive expansion of a thermostatic coiled element 96, preferably bimetal, which surrounds shaft Hi and has one end fixed to plate 23 and the other end fixed to a collar 91. This collar is formed with a cam face 97*- for camming engagement with a cam face 9'! of a collar 9'! fixed with lever H. The escapement 69 is made wider than escapement 69 so as to maintain engagement with escapement wheel 54 when shaft Ill is displaced rearwardly by the action of thermostatic element 96. A light spring 98 acts between plate 24 and escapement 69 to yieldingly maintain the parts in the Fig. 9 position and return the parts to this position after displacement by element 96.

The shaft 18 is also preferably mounted for rearward displacement in plates 23, 24. While one thermostatic element will ordinarily be sufficient to effect operation of the alarm, in a manner presently more apparent, I prefer to also provide a second thermostatic element 99, similar to I has portions 19 14 [6 and '1'! otherwise identical in structure and function with the corresponding protions l9, l4, l6 and 11 of the aforesaid lever 15.

With shaft 83 in pushed-in Fig. 9 cut-off position, elements 96 and 99 (where they are both employed) will expand in response to the aforesaid predetermined temperature rise to respectively cause counterclockwise rotation of collars 91 and I09 for caniming collars 97 and Hill to rear- Wardly displace shafts H and 18 together with levers i! and it as a unit assembly, sufficiently to move finger i3 clear of the trip finger 81 to thereby cause operation of the alarm impulse mechanism to sound the alarm. Preferably, the arrangement is such that expansion of elements 96 and Eli will force stop and shaft 83 rearwardly to spring the detent 92 until the V-end 93 engages inclined whereupon the spring illi will force shaft 83 rearwardly. The elements 58 and cooperate to give a balanced displacement to the impulse assembly during this alarm rel asing action. Unless elements 95 and 99 are called on to expand. the normal clock and time rcspor-sivo i ctions may take place just as in a conventional alarm clock but the thermostatic device is always ready to sound the alarm regardless of the setting at lmobs 5i and 82.

The thermostatic elements and 89 are free to contra-it xv interfering the normal operation of ers M and 75 to sound the alarm in response to operation of the time control. When these thermostatic elements expand the cam faces are disengaged, the shafts Ill and '18 being shifted rearwardly, so that the levers may vibrate Without interference with cams 9'! and 585. Under normal temperature conditions sulficient clearance provided between the pairs of cam faces to allow free vibration of the levers to sound the alarm by the time control mechanism.

In g. 10 I have illustrated an arrangement for shnting the shafts :G and w as in Fig. 9 but instead of a coil type of thermostatic element (as at 9 3 and 83 in Fig. 9), I have provided a bi-netal fiat element Hi2 supported at 33 to plate and having its opposite ends respectively adapted to engage pins 1G4 and 535 of shafts :El and i8 Under predetermined temperature rise, as aforesaid, element i will flex and displace these shafts rearwardly together with the lever assembly just as in Fig. 9 and with identical results as will be readily understood.

I do not limit my invention in its broader aspects to the p: cular form and arrangement of parts shown and described fo purposes of illustrating he principles of my invention since many changes and modifications will be readily apparent from my teachings.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, an alarm, vibratory mechanism adapted to be tripped for operating and a time controlled trip element for tripping alarm opcrating mechan '-:l mechanism comprising a vibratory therino-aoo urging vibration of pivotall, supporting gagement thereof with said tr'p element to prevent vibration thereof accormnodattg movement ther cl in r o jJliC-CllSl'lllll" temperature vs iation out of engagement w. h said trip element to perr ".t vibration of said lever by said spring means for sounding said alarm.

2. In a device of the character described, an alarm. mechanism adapted to tripped for operating said alarm, and a time controlled trip element for tripping said alarm operating mechanism, said mechanism including a thermo-active hammer element having a stop portion thereof normally engaging said trip element and deflecting in response to predetermined temperature variation for tripping said alarm operating mechanism.

3. In a device of the character described, an

and cans for for normal enalarm, vibratory mechanism adapted to be tripped for operating said alarm, a time controlled trip element for tripping said alarm operating mechanism, said mechanism comprising a vibratory stop lever, spring means urging vibration of said lever, means for pivotally supporting said lever for normal engagement thereof with said. trip element to prevent vibration thereof and for accommodating shifting movement thereof out of engagement with said trip element to permit vibration of said lever by said spring means for sounding said alarm, and thermo-active means operable in response to predetermined temperature variation for shifting said lever as aforesaid.

l. In a device of the character described, an

alarm, mechanism adapted to be tripped for operating said alarm, a time controlled trip element for tripping said alarm operating mechanism, said mechanism including a vibratory ham-- mer element having a hammer portion thereof adapted to strike the alarm and a stop portion thereof normally en aging said trip element, and ermostatic means operating to displace said miner element to an operable position thereof wherein said stop portion is free from engagement with said trip element for tripping said alarm operating mechanism.

In device of the character described, an mechanism adapted to be tripped for op- -g said alarm, a time controlled trip element for tripping said alarm operating mechanism, said mechanism including a stop normally engaging said trip element, manually operable Leans shift-able from a first position to a second position for preventng operation of said alarm operating mechanism, and means operating in response to predetermined temperature variation for displacingsaid stop from engagementwith said trip element to trip said alarm operating mechanism and for shifting said manually operable means from said second position to said first positlon.

6. In a device of the character described, an alarm, a time controlled trip element, and vibratory mechanism adapted to be tripped for open ating said alarm, said mechanism including a vibratory stop normally engaging said tri element to check vibration thereof and adapted for displacement free from said trip element in response to predetermined temperature variation, spring means urging alarm-operating vibration of said stop, and means mounting said stop for vibratory movement in a predetermined path by said spring means, said mounting means accommodating displacement of said stop generally transversely of said path to free said stop from said trip element as aforesaid.

'7. In a device of the charac er described, an alarm, alarm operating mechanism including a vibratory control element, arresting means normally interposed in the path of said element to prevent vibration thereof, thermo-active means for moving said element free of said arresting means to release said mechanism to operate said alarm, and means for mounting said element to accommodate vibration of said element movement of said element free of said arresting means aforesaid.

8. In a device of the character described, an alarm, alarm operating mechanism including a vibratory thermo-active lever, and vibration ar-- resting means normally interposed in the path of said lever, said lever distorti g in response to predetermined temperature rise free from said lll arresting means thereby releasing said mechanism to operate said alarm.

9. In a device of the character described, an alarm, alarm operating mechanism including a system of pivotally jointed vibratory levers, vibration arresting means normally interposed in, the path of one of said levers, and thermostatic means for displacing said levers for vibration free from said arresting means.

10. In a device of the character described, an alarm, alarm operating mechanism including a thermo-active hammer, arresting means for said mechanism, said hammer deflecting in response to predetermined temperature variation to free said mechanism from said arresting means.

11. In an alarm clock having a clockwork driven time indicator, a trip operable synchronously with said time indicator, and alarm mechanism including a vibratory stop normally en gaged with said trip, spring means urging vibration of said stop, and means mounting said stop for displacement thereof out of engagement with said trip in response to predetermined temperain ture variation. CURTIS W. KEEGIN. 

